Skillet Green Beans
Every meal deserves a healthy side dish and my mission is to help you build a solid list of go-to recipes like these skillet green beans! Side dishes are often the hardest part of preparing a meal. You want something that’s going to be tasty and complement the main dish, but it can be tough to find something that fits the bill.
Skillet green beans are a delicious and healthy side dish that can be made in just minutes! This simple skillet green beans recipe is easy to make with just a few ingredients, and it’s packed full of nutritious vitamins and minerals.
The combination of butter, olive oil, garlic, shallots, and green beans creates an unforgettable flavor that will have everyone coming back for more. With its unique sweetness from the shallot and subtle richness from the butter, this skillet recipe is sure to become one of your go-to dishes!
Ingredients
Green Beans – The best skillet green beans begin with choosing the freshest ingredients. Choose one pound fresh greens beans and look for bright, vibrant green beans with no blemishes or discoloration.
Butter and olive oil – I like using a combination of these two when making green beans in the skillet because it helps evenly distribute the heat and adds a wonderful richness to the dish.
Jarred Minced Garlic – Garlic is essential for skillet green beans because it gives the dish an aroma and taste that you can’t get without it. I like using the jarred minced garlic for convenience.
Shallots – Shallot are often used in place of onions to add a milder, sweeter flavor to dishes. Shallots have a delicate texture and sweet taste that makes them ideal for adding subtle flavor to dishes. Shallots offer a delicious alternative to regular onions with their unique sweetness and versatility making them perfect for any dish!
salt and fresh ground black pepper – use to taste!
How to make skillet green beans
- Heat the oil and butter in the skillet over medium to medium high heat until melted and saute the green beans for about 5 minutes
- Add the garlic and shallot to the green beans and continue to cook until garlic starts to brown
- Add water and cover skillet to allow the green beans to steam for about 2 – 5 minutes
- When the green beans are as tender as you like, carefully remove from heat and pour off any remaining water
Health benefits of green beans
Green beans cooked in a skillet offer an array of health benefits, making them an ideal side dish for any meal. Not only are they easy and quick to make, but they also offer a great source of dietary fiber, protein, iron, zinc, and magnesium. All of these essential nutrients are beneficial to your body in different ways, like keeping your heart and digestion healthy.
Tips for making skillet green beans
You’ll want to make sure you have a good skillet that will hold heat evenly and allow the green beans to cook without burning them. A cast iron skillet is great. I used a non-toxic non-stick skillet with high sides.
Once you’ve prepped all of your ingredients, it’s important to take note of the amount of time that you cook them for. You want them to stay tender and crisp so it’s best to monitor them closely as they’re cooking.
Green beans make the perfect side dish for…
Common Questions about cooking green beans
Do you have to blanch green beans before cooking?
In this recipe, no! We keep it simple by sauteing first then letting them steam up a bit at the end. This makes it quick and simple.
Why are my green beans tough?
If your green beans are tough, it’s usually because they were picked too late. To pick the best green beans be sure to look for bright green ones with no blemishes or discoloration. It’s also best to cook them shortly after picking, as they can become tough over time. And of course, make sure you don’t overcook them!
Can I use frozen green beans in this skillet recipe?
Yes! Frozen green beans can be used in this skillet recipe. Be sure to thaw and dry them before cooking and also reduce cooking time as frozen green beans have typically been blanched or parboiled.
Can I make these spicy?
Sure! Add a few red pepper flakes for some heat.
With the right ingredients and cooking techniques, you can create skillet green beans that are tender yet crisp every time! So next time you’re looking for a side dish or want something new to try in your kitchen give this skillet green bean recipe a go – it’s sure to be hit with family and friends alike!
Skillet Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 2 tablespoons butter can be dairy-free
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot
- 2 teaspoons jarred minced garlic
- 1/4 cup water
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat
- Add green beans and cook while stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes
- Finely dice garlic and shallot and add to green beans in pan
- Continue to cook while stirring until beans, shallots and garlic start to brown
- Add water and cover skillet
- Cook for 2-5 more minutes until green beans are to desired tenderness
- Remove lid and allow any remaining water to cook off before removing from heat to serve